Cystic echinococcosis in humans and animals: Current epidemiological situation in Poland

The purpose of this article was to present current data on cases of cystic echinococcosis in humans and animals in Poland. Cystic echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most important parasitic zoonoses occurring globally. In many regions of the world, the disease is an important epidemiological problem. The life cycle of Echinococcus involves hoofed farm animals and dogs. Among its species and genotypes ascertained in the world, two (G1 and G7) have been confirmed in sheep and pigs as intermediate hosts in Poland. Molecular examinations of postoperative parasitic material from patients established that the porcine strain G7 is the cause of human cystic echinococcosis in Poland. Data on post-slaughter examinations of pigs identified as intermediate hosts of E. granulosus suggest that the number of cases reported in humans (approx. 40 annually) is probably underestimated. In the last two years, the prevalence of hydatid cysts in pigs in Poland has been estimated at 0.3%, with the highest number of infected animals in central Poland (0.4%-1.2%). This indicates the presence of infection in dogs and the risk of echinococcosis for humans.